How a five-day festival of lights sustains the mental wellbeing of the diaspora

Health · Published 19 October 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For Nepalese international students, the festival of Tihar is more than a celebration of lights and animals. It is a vital tool for cultural resilience, helping those living far from home navigate the emotional challenges of a new environment through shared food and ancient rituals.

Tihar, the second largest Nepali festival after Dashain, is a five-apo-day Hindu celebration typically occurring between October and November. While widely known for lighting lamps (diyo) to welcome the goddess Lakshmi, the festival is unique for its reverence toward animals that live alongside humans. Each day honors specific creatures, including crows, dogs, cows, and oxen, which are associated with Yama, the god of death and justice. In the Kathmandu Valley, Newar communities refer to this period as Yamapanchak, while Madheshi communities in Madhesh Province call it Dipawali. Starting on Kartika's thirteenth day during the Krishna paksha, the festivities adhere to the Bikram Sambhat calendar.

The rituals are deeply symbolic. On Kaag Tihar, the first day, crows are fed grains and sweets to appease them and ward off grief, as they are seen as messengers of Yama. As the festival progresses, families create Rangoli—intricate patterns made of colored rice, sand, or flower petals—to welcome deities. The festivities conclude with Bhai Tika, a day dedicated to the bond between siblings. During the Lakshmi puja, which occurs on the darkest new moon night, people use candles and electric lights to drive away darkness. Beyond religious offerings, the first day also marks Dhanteras, a time when purchasing gold, silver, or new household utensils is considered highly auspicious.

For the Nepalese diaspora, particularly students in the United States, maintaining these foodways is a matter of psychological health. Research involving 36 students in the U.S. Midwest suggests that engaging with traditional festival foods helps preserve cultural continuity and aids in coping with the social stresses of relocation. While barriers like limited ingredient availability and time constraints exist, the emotional resonance of these culinary traditions serves as a pillar of cultural identity and emotional wellbeing. In the U.S., students often use social networks to facilitate communal celebrations, though they may selectively maintain religious fasting practices. These gatherings can also include traditional pastimes like playing card games or kauda, a game using cowrie shells.

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